I recently visited Antagonist for my friend's birthday and overall had a good experience, but there were a few details that could definitely be improved.
First, I really like the concept of the no-cell phone policy--it creates a more present, immersive atmosphere, which I appreciated. The drinks and overall vibe were solid.
That said, the space felt quite loud for how small it is, which made it harder to fully enjoy the experience. The biggest issue, though, was the seating. Despite making reservations several days in advance, we were placed against the wall in a very uncomfortable seating area. When we asked if we could move to one of the central tables--which were clearly more comfortable--we were told they were all reserved, including the bar seats. That was confusing, especially since we also had a reservation booked well in advance for this birthday. When we asked our server about this, she said "usually" the tables in the center are for reservations and the seating up against the wall for those who walk in. Once again, we made reservations days in advance so we should have gotten reservation seating.
On that note, it also felt a bit pointless to ask about special occasions in the reservation form if they're not acknowledged in any way. Even a small gesture would go a long way.
Honestly, given the size and layout of the space, it might make more sense to operate as first come, first serve rather than taking reservations. It feels like that could reduce friction for both guests and staff and make the experience feel more natural and fair.
Overall, it's a unique and enjoyable spot with a cool concept, but tightening up these details would make the experience feel much more thoughtful and professional and increase the rating 1 star. Drinks were well made. Also the polaroid photo that people mention never happened-- I imagine it was something they started when they opened, but realized they couldn't keep up long-term or when busy. 3.5 stars read more